Counter Recruiters

On Capitol Hill in May, faith-based organizations announced
the "I Will Not Kill" campaign to educate youth
targeted by military recruiters. The campaigns goal is to
make youth more aware of their rights regarding military service,
educate them about the impact of war, promote a culture of life
in targeted communities, and promote conscientious objection to
military service as a positive alternative to violence.

"A new generation of youth from all sorts of backgrounds
- including persons from disadvantaged communities - want to
serve their country and global family without killing
others," said David Whettstone, a legislative analyst for
the Mennonite Central Committee. Under the No Child Left Behind
Act, schools that receive federal funds must make 11th- and
12th-grade students contact information available to
recruiters unless students fill out a form to opt out of the
practice. U.S. high school students report getting multiple calls
a day from recruiters. According to the Associated Press, Army
officials have investigated 480 allegations of impropriety by
recruiters since Oct. 1, 2004.

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